Specimen Holder

Just bought that first macro lens? Post here to get helpful feedback and answers to any questions you might have.

Moderators: rjlittlefield, ChrisR, Chris S., Pau

houstontx
Posts: 394
Joined: Fri Jul 31, 2015 1:07 pm

Specimen Holder

Post by houstontx »

Where to buy or how to make a DIY specimen holder? I am currently using a piece of stiff wire which works but is a pain to get into place easily.

Thanks,

C.Seno
Posts: 75
Joined: Thu Oct 01, 2015 11:39 pm
Location: Los Angeles

Post by C.Seno »

I have many different sized needles for varying insect size. I just dip the needle tip in super glue and stick it in the specimen. The needle can be stuck into clay and maneuvered easily.

houstontx
Posts: 394
Joined: Fri Jul 31, 2015 1:07 pm

Post by houstontx »

Clay i never thought of that! I have some so I will try this out thank you!

Xanthocryptus
Posts: 9
Joined: Sat Mar 15, 2014 8:23 pm
Location: New Zealand

Post by Xanthocryptus »

I have a 'Microscope stage' from Bioquip - really its a nifty little specimen holder that allows you to rotate and reposition the specimen easily.

JH
Posts: 1307
Joined: Sat Mar 09, 2013 9:46 am
Location: Vallentuna, Stockholm, Sweden
Contact:

Post by JH »

This link might be of some interest.
http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/v ... 806#132806
Regards Jörgen
Jörgen Hellberg, my webbsite www.hellberg.photo

microman
Posts: 122
Joined: Sat Jan 14, 2017 2:16 pm

Post by microman »

These look pretty cool. I used a much more basic model when i began.
https://www.amazon.com/QuadHands-Helpin ... B00GIKVP5K

MAvisdavis
Posts: 7
Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2017 6:41 am

Post by MAvisdavis »

I modified a similar solder station. The great thing about this one is I can alter the length of the arms :)

(First post by the way) Hey guys :)
Image

Olympusman
Posts: 5090
Joined: Sun Jan 15, 2012 12:31 pm

Specimen holder

Post by Olympusman »

I use pipe cleaners with a pin glued on the end and then glue the pin to the insect. Far cheaper than a goniometer and just as effective. Microscopists/macroscopists are known for their patience, so this is just another day at the office.

Mike
Michael Reese Much FRMS EMS Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA

ChrisR
Site Admin
Posts: 8662
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2009 3:58 am
Location: Near London, UK

Post by ChrisR »

MAvisDavis wrote:(First post by the way) Hey guys Smile
Welcome MAvis !

You can post up to 1024 square, with a 300kB size limit, by the way. Medium quality Jpeg should be fine.
Chris R

MAvisdavis
Posts: 7
Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2017 6:41 am

Post by MAvisdavis »

ChrisR wrote:
MAvisDavis wrote:(First post by the way) Hey guys Smile
Welcome MAvis !

You can post up to 1024 square, with a 300kB size limit, by the way. Medium quality Jpeg should be fine.

Thanks ChrisR :)

concon
Posts: 87
Joined: Thu Jun 01, 2017 6:21 am

Post by concon »

MAvisdavis wrote:I modified a similar solder station. The great thing about this one is I can alter the length of the arms :)

(First post by the way) Hey guys :)
Image
Welcome man! I use those same arms to hold my backgrounds.


I personally use an alligator clip on an xyr stage on a precision lab jack. I find flexy arms are not reliable enough at high magnifications; something with precise controls saves headaches and time (definitely time).

Harald
Posts: 678
Joined: Fri May 13, 2011 10:33 am
Location: Steinberg, Norway
Contact:

Post by Harald »

Hi there houstontx,
I only use clay. Easy to get in any toystore.
This is useful for pinned insects. Position it just the way you want.
Kind Regards
Harald

Lier Fotoklubb / NSFF
AFIAP / CPS
BGF / GMV
http://www.500px.com/blender11

mawyatt
Posts: 2497
Joined: Thu Aug 22, 2013 6:54 pm
Location: Clearwater, Florida

Post by mawyatt »


Deanimator
Posts: 870
Joined: Tue Oct 23, 2012 7:01 pm
Location: North Olmsted, Ohio, U.S.A.

Post by Deanimator »

Harald wrote:Hi there houstontx,
I only use clay. Easy to get in any toystore.
This is useful for pinned insects. Position it just the way you want.
Depending upon the subject, I use clay or a DIY third hand made using stiff electrical wire a small carpenter's clamp and an alligator clip.

The third hand works well with light subjects, not much heavier than a 3/8" washer. There's too much movement with heavier objects.

For heavier objects, I prop them up with the clay molded to stay out of the picture. I haven't tried using it to hold a needle yet.

Yawns
Posts: 400
Joined: Sun Dec 20, 2015 9:18 am
Location: Benavente, Portugal

Post by Yawns »

I use a stage rather than a flexible arm .. I find it easier this way .. very easy to place a background...

Image

the stage allows me to lay several diffusers very easy

Image

for a specimen holder I use a ping-pong ball, cut in 2 halves, filled with plasticine (to make it heavy) and taped back to original position ... the ball over a metal ring ... this is a very chaeap way to have tilt and rotation virtually in any direction and makes tunning the insect positioning very easy

Image
YAWNS _ (Y)et (A)nother (W)onderful (N)ewbie (S)hooting

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic